Unlike natural wood, engineered wood siding has a moisture-resistant barrier that keeps termites from burrowing into your exterior. Plus, this protective coating also keeps other animals, like woodpeckers and rodents, from pecking or chewing on your siding.
Tropical hardwoods such as teak, ipe, and mahogany are known for their exceptional strength and natural resistance to termites and rot. These woods contain natural oils and resins that make them highly durable and resistant to decay, even in harsh outdoor environments.
Though teak is one of the best termite-proof floorings it is pricier than other options due to various reasons. The price of teak flooring is high because this all-weather wood is extremely durable.
Gurjan Plywood: Made from the Gurjan tree, this plywood has natural oils that repel termites. It's known for its strength and durability. Teakwood Plywood: Teak is naturally resistant to termites due to its high oil content. Teak plywood is a luxurious option for furniture and interiors.
Engineering wood such as particle board, MDF etc and even plywood are not termite proof. Based on the chemicals used in the manufacturing process, they offer varying degrees of resistance to termites. However , WPC or wood polymer composites are 100% termite proof.
Termites dislike certain odors that act as repellents to them. Some of the common smells they hate include orange oil, neem oil, garlic, cinnamon, vinegar, mint, and citrus.
Engineered hardwood flooring resists water to a certain extent, making it suitable for moisture-prone areas like kitchens. However, it's important to note that engineered hardwood is only partially waterproof and requires proper maintenance to preserve its integrity over time.
While laminated wood can still be prone to termite attacks, it's a rare occurence. However, its best to do complete lamination as even one termite attack can destroy your furniture entirely.
On average, engineered hardwood floors can last anywhere from 20 to 30 years, depending on the thickness of the top layer (veneer), the quality of the product, and the conditions it's exposed to. High-quality engineered hardwood with a thicker veneer can even last up to 40 years if well-maintained.
But engineered lumber isn't suitable for exterior construction use. Its inability to absorb and release moisture means it will rot much more quickly than traditional lumber.
Both materials show good resistance to scratches and impacts. Vinyl flooring is more water-resistant and suitable for wet areas, while engineered wood flooring offers great stability and can be sanded to maintain its appearance over time.
Thus, neem oil for termites can be the best natural termite killer and help you get rid of termites permanently from your wooden structures. If you are wondering how to do neem oil treatment for termites, simply inject it inside the wooden structures.
For wood that's below ground, you can use WOODLIFE CopperCoat. You can also use a borate spray like Bora-Care to repel termites and carpenter ants. All you have to do is dilute the formula with water and spray it on the desired wood surface––make sure you do this on a clear day, as it needs time to dry.
Termites preferred southern yellow pine and spruce. Termites will eat and damage Peruvian walnut.
Minimize the likelihood of cracks in the concrete. Install metal mesh or sand/basalt termite barriers around the foundation. Seal around all utilities that go through the slab. Use termite-resistant construction materials.
Cedar Mulch – Resin from cedar heartwood is toxic to termites. Cedar mulch can also deter cockroaches, odorous house ants, and other insects. Cypress Mulch – Heartwood makes cypress a termite-resistant mulch. It also has anti-fungal properties and a slow rate of decay.
Install Pea Gravel around the Foundation of Your Home
This suggestion is only for homeowners serious about preventing termites. Install 8-10 inches of pea gravel next to the foundation of your home to keep your mulch from touching your home's foundation. Termites have a terrible time tunneling through pea gravel.
The factory-oiled surface should be reinforced with Kährs Satin Oil directly after installation. Day-to-day cleaning should be based on dry methods such as vacuuming or sweeping, as use of water and cleaning agents increases the need for further maintenance. Wood floors require regular oil treatments.
Swelling and Expansion: When engineered wood flooring absorbs moisture, it can swell and expand. The moisture can penetrate the wood fibers, causing them to absorb water and increase in size. This swelling can lead to buckling, warping, or cupping of the flooring, resulting in uneven and unsightly surfaces.
Engineered hardwood flooring is manufactured in such a way that refinishing isn't normally a viable or possible option. Therefore, the best and sometimes only way to prevent the need for refinishing is by adding that extra layer of protection and sealing your floor.
3 - Tea Tree Oil & Other Essential Oils
If you want to avoid termites at home, you can use essential oils, such as cinnamon oil, clove bud oil, or the famous tea tree oil. To use them properly, all you have to do is to fill them in a mist sprayer and spray on the damaged areas to repel termites.
If nothing else suits you, go and try the successful heat treatment to control termites at home. Just use hot air or increase the temperature of the infected area up to 120 degrees and maintain it for half an hour. This much heat for this much time will kill the termites instantly.
Ants are the greatest predators of termites, and may have a considerable local impact on termite populations in some areas of the world. A few parasitoids of termites are known, but their potential for regulating termite populations seems negligible.